Northamptonshire sign Lewis McManus on short-term loan

The signing of the Hampshire wicketkeeper adds to the uncertainty around Adam Rossington, who was replaced as captain last week

Hampshire wicketkeeper Lewis McManus has joined Northamptonshire on a monthlong loan deal.

The move, which follows the appointment of Ricardo Vasconcelos as the county's new red-ball captain, adds to the uncertainty around Adam Rossington.

Rossington, who led Northamptonshire to LV= Insurance County Championship promotion in 2019 after taking over from Alex Wakely midway through that season, was replaced in the role by Vasconcelos last week.

However, in the club statement detailing the switch, Rossington's name was conspicuous by its absence. He averaged 35.8 with the bat in 2021, making four half centuries and claiming 24 catches behind the stumps. In unveiling McManus, Northamptonshire confirmed that Rossington was "currently unavailable for selection".

McManus' temporary departure is set to last an initial period of four weeks and is a direct consequence of Ben Brown's move from Sussex to Hampshire, with Brown expected to take the gloves at the Ageas Bowl.

^{Ricardo Vasconcelos is Northamptonshire's new red-ball captain (Tony Marshall/Getty Images)}

"This is a great opportunity for Lewis to play first-class cricket," said Giles White, Hampshire's director of cricket. "He narrowly missed out on selection here but there is no better way to push his case than to perform well with Northamptonshire."

The acquisition of Brown has already freed up Tom Alsop to join Sussex on a season-long loan, with McManus now making the trip to Wantage Road for the opening weeks of the campaign for similar reasons.

Northamptonshire are back in Division One of the County Championship, with John Sadler at the helm as head coach after replacing David Ripley.

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